Chapter 3

"I thought we'd get along like real sisters, but no matter how well I treat you, you're never satisfied. You even want to take what's mine for yourself," I said.

"Enough!"

The sharp crack of a slap echoed as Kyle's hand struck my face hard.

"Keira, how dare you speak like that?! It's just a necklace. If you don't want to give it, then don't. How can you be so cruel to Selene?

"She's an Omega without parents, all alone in this world. Life is already hard enough for her. If you won't help her or care for her, fine, but how can you be so petty and pour salt in her wounds like this?"

I clutched my swollen face and refused to look at Kyle.

The elder's face turned ashen with rage as he pointed a trembling finger at Kyle. "You actually hit your own sister over an Omega!"

Kyle bristled with indignation. "Yes, Keira is my sister, but isn't Selene my sister too? She bullied Selene. Can't I discipline her for that? Does a Luna's status really depend on just a necklace? We don't even know who Gideon truly likes yet."

The elder was beside himself with fury. "Keira is the eldest daughter of this family and Gideon's future Luna. What do the pack's interests mean to you? Not only did you try to take her necklace, but you even struck her. You… You... Go kneel at the altar and reflect on your actions right now!"

Selene blocked Kyle's path, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded desperately. "Kyle, I know I'm just an orphan you took in. I'm not worth this. I don't want to see you punished because of me."

Kyle tenderly wiped away her tears. "This isn't your fault. Keira grew up pampered and spoiled. That's what made her so arrogant and domineering. You're the one suffering the most, yet you never fight or compete. Instead, you let others walk all over you."

The surrounding guests could not stand it anymore and began whispering among themselves. "How dare Selene do this? Doesn't she know that only the future Luna can wear that necklace?"

"Didn't you realize Gideon canceled the bonding ceremony with Keira just for Selene's sake? Who knows, maybe those two have already..."

"Yeah. Look at how seductive Selene is. She's got Gideon completely bewitched."

"Keira is truly pitiful. She treated Selene like a real sister and raised such an ungrateful wretch."

Faced with all this gossip, Kyle grew even angrier and vented all his frustration on me.

"Keira, Selene is being cursed at by everyone now. Are you satisfied? Is this what you wanted? Don't you realize why Gideon doesn't like you?"

Everyone froze at those words. Selene's face flushed red as she tugged at Kyle's sleeve.

"Kyle, don't say that. Keira will be hurt. Besides, there's nothing between me and Gideon. He just wanted to stand up for me, that's all."

Then, she looked at me with teary eyes. "Keira, please don't misunderstand. I'm sure Gideon still likes you. I just don't know why he treats me so well."

Her voice grew softer and softer until only the two of us could hear.

I heard her whisper in my ear, "So what if you're the fiancée his parents chose? Gideon likes me, not you. You're nothing but a pitiful creature who isn't loved."

I pushed her away in irritation. With just a light touch, she fell backward theatrically. Her eyes reddened dramatically. "Keira, why did you push me?"

Large tears rolled down her cheeks, making her look even more pitiful.

"Keira, you still don't know what you've done wrong. You're still bullying Selene."

A low voice sounded from behind me.